LeMieux National Dressage Championships 2022
18th September 2022
Sonnar Murray-Brown & Stolen Secret rode a fantastic test at LeMieux National Dressage Championships 2022 which scored an incredible 76.53% making them the new Equitop Elementary Gold Champions.
Photo courtesy of British Dressage
Report from British Dressage
Equitop Elementary Gold Champion
Winner: Sonnar Murray-Brown and Stolen Secret, 76.53%
It was a whistle stop tour to Somerford Park for Gloucestershire rider Sonnar Murray-Brown with Michelle Dawson’s Stolen Secret but it proved to be a very fruitful one. With just one horse in one class, Sonnar wisely travelled up this morning to do the arena walk, put the Uthopia x Riccio mare in a day box, he admitted to taking a small nap, and then competed in the Equitop Elementary Gold Championship and casually smashed out a 76.53%.
It was a mammoth class of 39 which was overseen by a five strong judging panel, Sarah Leitch (E), Penelope Lang (H), Debby Lush (C), Sue McMahon (M) and Jane Critchley (B) and Scottish rider Jo Barry set the early pace with Lady Hope and her own Karisma II on 73.844%. Some four hours later the in-form Becky Moody posted a superb 76.03% with Jo Coopers Governor x Swarovski five year old Magic Dream to take over the lead – and it looked like a winning score.
However, such is the class of the bay mare which as also bred by owner Michelle, they edged ahead – no marks lower than seven and a half and plenty of nines throughout the test across the judges.
Sonnar has had her since she was three when he broke her in, and she’s stayed training with him ever since. The duo did the Winters as a novice but this was their first trip to Somerford.
A delighted Sonnar said; “She’s great, she’s a real professional. She’s always professional in her mind, she’s no different from home to shows – she’s just great. She’s a real sweetheart, very intelligent and a girly girl!
“I was so pleased how relaxed she was as the Freestyle had started and it seemed to get louder and louder and I wondered how she might react because it’s only natural for her to but she was just so professional and really relaxed. I thought ‘just give her your aids and she’ll answer’ and I just sat back and let her cruise around, she was a joy. It felt really nice and she was more relaxed in the trot work than she was at the Regionals so I was really pleased with that. She gets better and better every time and it’s really nice she can come and perform in an atmosphere and cope with it – that’s such a joy for the future.
“I didn’t really look at the scores so I didn’t know what I needed to do. I don’t like to do that – I just go in to do the best I can do and if that’s not good enough, it’s not good enough. I was super pleased and proud that they rewarded her – it was great to get such a big score. Becky’s horse is amazing and she’s a great rider as is Jo so being in good company makes it even better,” he beamed.
He reflected on his first trip to the new Nationals venue, “I didn’t come last year so it’s the first time I’ve been for the Nationals and its great. The facilities are really great, it’s a nice atmosphere, good crowds and the surfaces are great,” he said.
So what’s next for 2021 British Breeding Equine Bridge winners? “She’ll train at home and aim for the Elementary and Medium at the Winters, we’ll see how she feels as let her decide if she’s ready for Medium or not. I’m really lucky that I get to train with Carl [Hester] as much as possible and he’s such a great help. As long as she keeps progressing and enjoying it, we’ll continue. Once she’s finished qualifying for the winter regionals, she’ll have a little eight week holiday like she did last year to give her a little rest and then we’ll pick her pick her up ready for next year,” he concluded.
